I don’t think the top 7 will make it as they stand right now. One of the Central teams will drop out IMO, if only because they have to play each other so much. My guess would be the Preds, but any of STL, NSH AND CHI could find themselves on the outside looking in with a bad 10 game stretch (except the Wings, because I mean, come on).

Posted by
Alzy
from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada on 01/30/12 at 03:10 PM ET

I believe goal differential is a fairly reliable indicator of long-term success, as it is hard to win a lot of games when you are being outscored by your opponents, on average. Swap Minnesota with Phoenix for this reason and you have my predicted Top 8.

Posted by
VooX
from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 01/30/12 at 04:12 PM ET

STL has a road-heavy schedule remaining, with a lot of games against Central opponents (which they’ve avoided a lot of so far). They will be in the mix at the end of the season jockeying for #7 or #8 after a true skid or two.

Minny will miss entirely.

PHX and DAL will compete for 1 remainig spot. LA may be in that mix too if they continue sucking so much…

I actually, seriously, considered them. Which should tell you just how little regard I have for say CGY.

But, there seem to be too many smoke and mirrors going on there. They’ve played more games than anyone in the rest of the conference (as many as 4 more than SJ). They’re somehow 7-0 in Shootouts. Yet their Goal Differential is -13… something smells funny there, and I say it’ll be another Lottery for them.